Sell an entire estate at auction
Our Estate Treasures® auctions bring a household’s contents to bidders online, from the valuable to the everyday, in one well-managed sale.
- Complimentary consultations, no obligation
- Payment typically within 30 days
- Virginia firm license #1086
One call for the whole house
Settling an estate is hard enough without selling it piece by piece. We look at everything, identify what deserves specialist attention, and bring the contents to auction in front of a worldwide audience.
Every bid is placed in the open, in real time, so families can see exactly how each item sold. Our Estate Treasures® auctions have included a Rolex Daytona that sold for $23,000 and a 1959 Fender Precision Bass that sold for $10,200.
What we handle
- Whole estates and household contents
- Furniture, art, and decorative arts
- Jewelry, watches, and silver
- Collections of every kind
- Tools, garage, and outdoor items
- Single heirlooms
Found in estates we have sold
-
Lot 1096 Reed & Barton Les Six Fleurs Sterling 12 Person 84 Pc Set Realized$5,500
-
Lot 1128 K. F. Wilson & Son Sterling Silver Set Realized$5,000
-
Lot 1147 S. Kirk and Son Sterling 77 Piece Set Realized$3,250
-
Lot 1130 Sterling Silver Plates Realized$1,600
-
Lot 1201 S. Kirk & Son Sterling Silver Candlestick Holder Realized$1,300
-
Lot 1129 Mexican Silver Serving Bowl with Feet Realized$950
-
Lot 1125 Sterling Silver Repousse' Tea Pot Realized$950
-
Lot 1199 Les Six Fleurs Pattern Sterling Silver Fork Spatula Realized$900
-
Lot 1098 Reed & Barton Sterling Flatware Pieces Asst. Realized$750
-
Lot 1141 Wallace Sterling Silver Gadroon Platter Plate Realized$650
The Doctor’s Collection
A local psychiatrist spent a lifetime collecting fine art, silver, fine timepieces, and unusual collectibles. His estate chose Blue Box Auction Gallery to present the collection in a series of online auctions, each with its own highlights.
- 51,562 auction views
- 1,132 registered bidders
Talk to Jim Weigl
Jim founded Blue Box Auction Gallery in 2020, after more than a decade in the auction industry. As auctioneer and appraiser, he and the team work closely with consignors, from the first photos to the final bid.
How selling an estate works
Send photos
Walk through the house and photograph each room, then take close-ups of anything you think may be valuable. Please do not throw anything away yet.
Hear from a specialist
A specialist looks at your photos, tells you whether auction is the right route for the estate and which sales its contents belong in, and recommends the next step. Any auction estimate a specialist shares is preliminary until we see the items in person.
We research and catalog
Once you consign, we inspect, photograph, and describe each lot, then market the sale to collectors and buyers.
Auction and payment
Bidders compete in the auction. Afterward you receive a settlement statement, and payment is typically issued within 30 days, once the buyer has paid.
Questions about selling an estate
Do I need to sort everything first?
No. Please do not throw anything away until we have seen it. Papers, small items, and things that look like clutter are sometimes the most valuable.
What happens to what does not go to auction?
We can help with that too. See Estate sales and cleanouts, or ask us for a plan for the whole house.
I am the executor, not a family member. Can you work with me?
Yes. We regularly work with executors, attorneys, and fiduciaries, and we keep clear records of every item sold. See For attorneys and fiduciaries.
What does it cost to sell at auction?
Our commission is deducted from the hammer price after the sale, and terms depend on the type and value of what you are selling. We explain the commission and any other charges in writing before you consign.
How and when do I get paid?
After the auction you receive a settlement statement showing what each lot sold for and any agreed fees. Payment is typically issued within 30 days of the auction closing, once the buyer’s payment has cleared.
Request a complimentary consultation about your estate
Tell us about the estate and add a few photos. A specialist will look at what you have, tell you whether auction is the right route and which sale it belongs in, and recommend the next step.
- Complimentary consultation, no obligation
- Consignments accepted nationwide; we travel for significant collections
Prefer to talk? Call (757) 550-0285, Monday to Friday.
Not sure where to start?
Complimentary guides and tools for families, executors, and anyone downsizing.
Downsizing and Estate Planner
Enter the date a home needs to be clear and get a step-by-step plan: sorting, written values, auction estimates, the estate sale, and the clear-out.
Where to Start With an Estate
A five-question quiz for families and executors that suggests where to begin: an appraisal, an auction, an estate sale, a cleanout, or selling the home.
Settling an Estate: A Practical Guide for Families and Executors
Where to begin with a loved one's belongings and home: securing the property, taking stock, understanding value, and deciding what to keep, sell, donate, and clear.